On the last Thursday in June a small group gathered for a Raid. David MacWilliam and Monique Fouquet arrived here on a rainy day, bearing lunch and their ideas for the day’s plate painting. It was so good to have a day of friendly conversation and concentrated art-making once again.
As usual Alan and I enjoyed lunchtime treats, including Monique’s made-that-morning quiche, and bread, yummy cheese and cold cuts from David. I made a tossed salad. But there was more! Monique brought decadent brownies for tea-time.
Karen had arranged to bring Eric along, just for the afternoon. I’m so glad they could come and keep up the ‘Raid’ing tradition. Eric doesn’t say much but after carefully settling into his chair he immediately began to draw and then paint. Karen selected a little vase I’d thrown to paint, and elected to take it home to finish quietly there later. Her care of Eric takes up most of her energy.
I brought my big tea-pot and mugs down to the studio for tea-time. There was no chance to sit outside on that day. Thank you Karen for delicious cheesy cookies.
David painted bold opaque retro hexagons on a large round plate and then a wee dish. Monique likes the lunch-size coupes for her meticulous layered shapes. I can’t wait to see how these will turn out after bisque and clear-glaze firings. Eric called his red shape a scorpion and later a monster. The other two plates are ones he had painted on his own, back in March. I played around painting shapes with my coloured slips. I am delaying the firing of these until I complete making a few special pieces to fill the kiln.
Monique has offered to contact would-be Raiders after the summer so I am optimistic that this tradition of having retired painters trundle out to Port Moody for a day to paint, lunch and talk will continue into the future.
Shortly after the group had left to drive back to Vancouver my friend Marianne dropped by to pick up the salty tea-pot she’d had her eye on for months. I had insisted on re-firing it in the soda kiln, and we agreed that it was worth it. Happily she found a mug to match it. Glad they’re in a good home, M!
Since then the weather has brought a heat dome and I find that the basement/studio is the best place to remain cool.
